- A brush fire near Slate Canyon in Provo was sparked by fireworks.
- Provo Fire Capt. Atherton reported the fire grew from half-acre to 5 acres.
- Fire mitigation efforts helped prevent a larger wildfire despite fireworks ban violations.
PROVO — A large brush fire broke out late Saturday near Slate Canyon on Provo's east side, prompting a major response from firefighters on Independence Day.
Provo Fire Capt. Jeanie Atherton said Sunday morning in a press release that aerial fireworks started the fire, which erupted below the Bonneville Shoreline Trail about 10:40 p.m. Saturday. She said Provo fire crews arrived quickly and called in additional resources from Utah County to help battle the blaze.
According to Atherton, the fireworks were not only set off in a fireworks-restricted area but also during a city-wide fireworks ban.
The flames were large at one point, and the fire was visible throughout much of Provo. But by 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Atherton said she did not see any active flames, and crews were working to put out hot spots and ensure the fire was fully contained.
Atherton said the fire was initially a half-acre but grew to about 5 acres.
"Tonight, we had favorable conditions," Atherton said. "We don't have very much wind. If we had a really strong wind from the west, that would be bad."
Video of fireworks near the scene circulated on social media late Saturday evening. Atherton credited wildfire mitigation work in a news release sent to KSL, saying fire reduction work along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail helped to slow the fire.
"That mitigation helped keep the fire from escalating into a large wildfire requiring extensive resources, including aircraft and other costly suppression efforts that can quickly reach millions of dollars," Atherton said. "This incident reinforces why Provo Fire and Rescue supports proactive wildfire prevention measures."
No homes were evacuated, Atherton said, and no injuries were immediately reported.
"The temporary closure of the BYU Y Trailhead during periods of extreme fire danger also helps reduce risk in an area with a single access point, steep terrain, and significant life-safety concerns," she said.
She continued, emphasizing the importance of the public obeying fire restriction laws and why those rules were put in place.
"(This incident) also underscores the importance of preventive measures such as the fireworks ban and Stage 2 fire restrictions, which are designed to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires before they start."
Atherton asked the public to contact the Provo City Fire Department at 801-852-6321 or email fireprevention@provo.gov with any information related to the fire.
